LET’S TALK BUSINESS - Maleny Veterinary Services

Maleny Veterinary  Services is an independent, family-owned and operated practice which means animal and client care is their only priority. Their team of vets has a combined total of more than 94 years of experience and they are available 24/7. We wanted to know about the woman behind this empathetic business, so we recently caught up with Dr Deb Thorne.

1. Where were you born and raised, and what brought you to the Hinterland?

I was born in boring old Brisbane but spent my early years moving around lots of mining towns, with most time spent in Broken Hill NSW. At 13 years old, I went to boarding school when my family moved to Bougainville in PNG. But my dad’s family is from Maleny - right back to my great grandparents. 

We’ve had a farm in Curramore for over 100 years. Having family here meant that we visited a lot throughout my childhood, and I have so many great memories of the area from ‘way back when’.

2. What made you decide to buy Maleny Veterinary Services, and how long ago was this?

I rediscovered my love for vet medicine after a time of working in dairy farming. I bought the business in 2011, which is when we moved it to its current location in the old butter factory in Coral Street.

3. What are the challenges involved in running a veterinary business?

The main challenge of veterinary medicine is balancing excellent care, affordability and ensuring our wonderful team and clients are all well looked after.

4. What can a typical day entail for you?

After 15 years of “hands-on”, my job now is to primarily support our phenomenal team. I’m not in the building full-time, as I also manage our family beef cattle operation. 

But on the days that I am ‘vetting’, it’s coffee, follow-up calls, our morning team huddle and then straight into tackling whatever the team has lined-up for me. It could be consulting, surgery or outcalls – filling the gaps for a crew who are all better vets than me!

5. Do you have any special or funny moments with a customer/animal you would like to share?

After 25 years of practice there are sooo many funny stories and good times. I’m blessed to have had many, many workmates and clients become lifelong friends. I still adore delivering calves!

6. What do you like to do in your spare time?

What’s spare time?

7. What is a favourite quote or saying that inspires you?   

What would MacGyver do?

Maleny Veterinary Services, 27 Coral Street, Maleny QLD 4552

Phone: 5494 3622 /Website: malenyvet.com.au

Open 7 days, consultations available in clinic, at home or on farm.